Lasting machine



May 3, 1949. JORGENSEN 2,463,382

'LAETING MACHINE Filed Febu 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 I n 1) en tor Bernhar'clz Jorge/wen 15 hi I May 3, 1949. B. JORGENSEN LASTING MACHINE 4 Sheet s-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 19, 1947 Ma y 3, 1949. JORGENSEN 2,468,882

LASTING MACHINE I Filed Feb. 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 n Inventor v zBer'nharatJorgensen May 3, 1949. JQRGENSEN 2,468,882

LAS'IING MACHINE Filed Feb. 19, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 [nu enfor BerhhardtJorgensen Patented May 3, 1949 LASTIN G MACHINE Bernhardt Jorgensen,

Marblehead, Mass,

signor to United Shoe Machinery Corporation, Flemington, N. .L, a corporation of New Jersey Application February 19, 1947, Serial N 0. 729,568

33 Claims. 1

This invention relates to lasting machines and has particularly in viewthe provision of certain improvements in a toe-lasting machine con-' 'structed generally as disclosed in United States Letters Patent No. 2,324,509, granted on July 20, 1943, on an application of mine, although preferably modified in some respects as disclosed in other Letters Patent granted on applications of mine, especially those hereinafter mentioned. The invention is accordingly herein shown as applied to such a machine, but it is to be understood that it is not limited to the illustrative embodiment.

The above-mentioned machine includeaamong its lasting instrumentalities, a plurality of grippers which grip the margin of the toe-end portion of the upper and apply a pull to the upper in the toe-lasting operation, these grippers comprising an end gripper which grips the margin of the. upper about the end of the toe and side grippers which grip it at the opposite sides of the toe. The end gripper is movable lengthwise of the last and the side grippers widthwise of the last to pull the upper, the grippers also receiving upper-pulling movements heightwise of the'last; The several grippers are so arranged that in gripping the upper their jaws are relatively movable'generally heightwise of the last, and it is therefore necessary that the margin of the upper be positioned between the jaws in outspread relation to the edge of the shoe bottom. When a shoe is presented to the machine it has been subjected to the usual pulling-over operation and customarily also it has been lasted along the sides of the forepart beyond the toe portion. Accordingly the portions of the margin of the upper which are to be engaged by the side grippers are near portions thereof which have already been secured over the bottom face of the insole. To permit the margin at the sides of the toe to be readily outspread, so that it will lie between the jaws of the side grippers when the shoe is presented to the machine, the above-mentioned Letters Patent discloses the practice of slitting the side edges of the upper in locations near where its toe-end portion terminates. It may not be desired, however, to follow this practice, and in that case it is necessary for the operator to hold the margin of the upper outspread with his fingers in locations adjacent to the portions already secured over the insole until the rippers have closed on the upper.

One object of this invention is to relieve the operator of the necessity of controlling the margin of the upper as above described, thus saving time and increasing the output of the machine.

For this purpose the machine herein shown is provided with novel means for properly positioning the margin of the upper between the jaws of the side grippers. More particularly, the construction shown comprises What may be termed upper-spreading fingers arranged to engage the margin of the upper in locations between the side grippers and the portions of the margin already secured to the insole, the fingers having components of movement heightwise and widthwise of the last to spread or deflect the margin outwardly between the gripper jaws. The fingers are thus operated by fluid-pressure means coincidently with the closing of the jaws by other such means, their closing, however, being retarded to insure that the upper will be properly positioned before it is gripped.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for properly positioning the shoe as a whole without the necessity for any great care on the operators part in presenting it to the machine. For this purpose the construction shown comprises shoe-positioning members arranged to engage the opposite sides of the forepart of the shoe and to be forced apart equal distances by the shoe as it is presented between them to position the shoe laterally, its position lengthwise being further determinedby engagement of its toe-end face with one of the jaws of the end gripper. Through the shoe-positioning members at the sides of the shoe also the above-mentioned upper-spreading fingers are properly positioned widthwise of the shoe relatively to the margin of the upper, both the positioning members and the fingers being supported by arms which are connected together for equal swinging movements in response to pressure of the shoe on the members. Additional fluid-pressure means is provided for swinging the arms farther apart after the grippers have been closed and after the shoe has been clamped in the position determined, the shoepositioning members and the fingers thus being withdrawn from the shoe and carried to positions where they will not interfere with lasting instrumentalities which thereafter operate on the shoe.

The above and other features of the invention, including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of the upper portion of the machine to which the invention is herein shown as appli Fig. 2 is a view mainly in front elevation of portions of the structure located, for the most part, immediately at the rear of the front frame plate of the machine and in which features of the invention are embodied, the parts being shown in the positions which they occupy when a shoe is first presented to the machine;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line III-III of Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line IVIV of Fig. 1, also on an enlarged scale;

Fig. 5 is mainly a plan View showing parts as they appear in relation to the shoe at the same time as in Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5 of a portionof the structure, but with'theparts as they appear when the margin of the upper has been positioned by the upper-spreading fingers;

Fig. 7 is a view partly in front elevation and.

partly in section, showing one of the'upperi spreading fingers in the same position as in Fig. 6 before the'grippers are fully closed";

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 7, showingthe parts asthey appear just after theuppel spread- Fig. 10 is a Vertical sectional view further illustrating the relation of one of the side grippers to the upper when the shoe is presented;

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional View showinga valve which controls the closing of the grippers;

and

Fig. 1-2 is a diagrammatic view of the fluidpressure system in its relation to operating parts provided by the present invention.

In view of the disclosures in the previously mentioned Letters Patent and in others hereinafter mentioned, only as much of the machine is herein shown indetail as it is necessary to refer to for an understanding of the invention, and such parts as are common to the prior disclosures will beonly briefly described. The machine is a fluid-operated toe-lasting .inachine having a toeend gripper 2 which grips the margin of the upper outspread about the end of the toe and side grippers 4 which grip it-respectively at the op- X Cal posite sides of the toe, the'end gripper being moved lengthwise of the last and the side grippers wid-thwise of the last to apply a pull to the upper those directions andthe'several grippers also being moved'heightwise of the last further to pull the upper by upward-swinging movement:

of a support 5 ('Fig. 1) on which they are mounted. The end gripper (Fig. 9') has a lower jaw 6 toward which a cooperating jaw '8 is moved heightwise of the last to grip the outspread margin of the upper, and similarly each side gripper has a lower jaw H] (Figs. 2 and 10') toward which wardly to wipe the'upper heightwise of the last while the grippers are holding it under tension.

1943, on an application of mine.

While the upper is thereafter held by the toe former its margin is operated upon by uppertrimming means to remove therefrom all but the outer layer of the upper materials, the grippers releasing the upper in the course of the uppertrirnming operation. The upper-trimming means is not herein shown in detail, but includes an end knife l6 (Fig. l) movable lengthwise of the shoe and side knives I8 movable: widthwise of the shoe from positions over the bottom of the toe end of the shoe. The machine preferably includes means to cause the toe former M to release the upper after .the upper-trimming operation and to repeat its upward wipe thereon and also to cause {the grippers again to grip and pull the upper Wh le act n on yon the outer layer of the upper materials, as disclosed in the last-mentioned Letters Patent and in greater detail in Letters Patent .No. 2,337,558, granted on December 28,

Thereafter cement is applied to the toe end of the shoe by means not herein shown and wipers 20, which are moved upwardly with the toe former, are operated to Wipe the margin of the outer layer of the upper inwardly over the insole where it is secured by the cement.

In the toe-lasting operation the shoe is positioned heightwise by a shoe rest 22 engaging the bottom face of the forepart of the insole substantially as disclosed in Letters Patent No. 2,391,461, granted on'December 25, 1945, on an application of mine, except that a spur therein shown for engaging the insole in an indentation formed therein is omitted. The shoe is clamped against this shoe rest substantially at the beginningof a cycle of automatic operations of the machine by upward movement of a toe rest 24 engaging it underneath at'the top of the forepart. At substantiallythe same time a heel rest 26 (Fig. 1) is moved into engagement with the heel end of the shoe to assist in holding it against lengthwise movement, this heel rest as herein shown being constructed as disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent No. 2,391,4-61.

As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 12 and as disclosed in detail in Letters Patent No. 2,324,509, a pump '28 driven continuously by an. electric motor 30 draws'operating fluid, preferably light oil, through a pipe 32 from an open reservoir or sump "3 3 and delivers the fluid through a pipe line 36 to a manifold 38 in Which the fluid is maintained under pressure during the cycle of operations, the maximum pressure of the fluid being determined by a spring-controlled relief valve 40 which permits excess fluid to return to the sump. When the machine is not in operation an escape valve 42 permits the fluid to return freely from the manifold to the sump Without developing any substantial pressure in the manifold. This valve is closed by atreadle (not shown) to cause the development of such fluid pressure, and simultaneously a valve 44 is operated by the treadle to admit fluid from the manifold through a pipe line 45 to three gripper-closing cylinders shown diagrammatically at 46 in Fig. 12 to cause pistons 48 inthese cylinders to close the jaws of the grippers 2 and 4 on the margin of the upper. As fully disclosed in Letters Patent No. 2,324,509, the operator then has the opportunity to see if the upper is properly gripped and if not to cause the grippers to open "and to grip it again. After the upper has been properly gripped another depression of the'treadle operates a valve 50 to admit fluid from the manifold to a cylinder 52 for rotating a drum 54 ,having thereon means for thereafter automatically controlling the valves 42, 44 and 50 and for also controlling other valves associated with various operating instrumentalities of the machine, thus causing the machine to perform a cycle of operations. As distinguished from details of the construction disclosed in Letters Patent No. 2,324,509, such a drum is show-n and described in Letters Patent No. 2,337,558.

To assist in understanding the operation of parts herein-after described, the valve 44 and portions of its controlling mechanism are shown in detail in Fig. 11. The valve is a sleeve valve slidingly mounted on a tubular member 56 which is confined between one wall of the manifold 38 and a coupling member 58 communicating with the pipe line 45 leading to the gripper-closing cylinders 46. The tubular member is in communication at one end with the manifold and at the other end with the coupling member, and

it is divided between its opposite ends by a partition 60. Extending through it at one side of the partition are ports 62 and at the other side of the partition ports 64. The valve 44 has therein an annular recess 66 through which communication is afforded between the ports 62 and 64 to admit fluid from the manifold to the gripper-closing cylinders when the valve is in one position, as illustrated in Fig. 11. The valve is controlled by an arm 68 pivotally mounted at I0 on a bracket I2 fast on a plate I4 which serves as the top wall of the manifold 38, the arm carrying a pin I6 extending into an annular groove I8 in the valve. A spring 80 connected to the arm 68 holds the valve initially against one wall of the manifold, at which time communication is interrupted between the ports 62 and 64. the valve being thus in what may be termed its closed position. To move the valve to open position there is provided a lever 82 also pivotally mounted at I0 on the bracket I2 and controlled by the previously mentioned treadle through means including a rod 84. To open the valve the left-hand end of the lever 82, as the parts are viewed in Fig. 11,

is swung upwardly by the treadle, and by this movement the lever acts through a compression spring 86 engaging a lug 88 on the arm 68 to swing the arm against the resistance of the spring 80. The opening movement of the valve is adjustably limited by engagement of the arm 68 with a rod 90 threaded at one end in the plate 14 and having on that end a head 92 arranged to be engaged by a wrench for turning it. To maintain the valve in open position there is pivotally mounted at 94 on the lever 82 a latch 96 which, when the lever is operated, enters a notch 98 in a plate I 00 fast on the bracket "I2 to prevent return of the lever. An arm I02 extending upwardly from the latch 98 is controlled by a spring I04 which causes the latch thus to enter the notch. At the proper time in the operation of the machine the arm I02 is operated by a finger I06 on the drum 54 to withdraw the latch from the notch 93 and thus to cause the valve 44 to be returned to its initial position by the spring 80, whereupon fluid from the gripper-closing cylinders 46 returns to the sump 34 through the ports 64 to cause the grippers to open and release the upper. If the grippers are to grip and pull the upper a second time in accordance with the disclosure of Letters Patent No. 2,337,558, the lever 82 is later operated automatically by the action of an appropriate finger on the drum 54 on its right-hand end with reference to Fig. 11 to move the valve 44 again to open position, after r of the arms with a screw which another finger on the drum acts at the proper time on the arm I02 to cause the valve to close.

The shoe rest 22 is mounted as heretofore on a slide I08 of skeleton form which is vertically adjustable along guideways on the front frame plate I I0 of the machine and is held in place on the guideways by two gibs II2 (Fig. 5) secured on the rear face of the frame plate. In the construction herein shown the slide I08 is vertically adjusted by means shown in detail in Fig. 3, comprising :a spindle II4 having a diametrically enlarged portion IIB confined between two lugs I I8 and I on the frame plate and threaded in a sleeve I22 secured to the slide. The spindle H4 -is provided at its lower end with a knob I24 for turning it. To indicate the position of the slide I00 with respect to adjustment there is pivotally mounted on a stud I26 (Fig. 4) on the frame plate a pointer I28 one end of which is adjacent to a scale I30 on the frame plate and the other end of which has a pin-and-slot connection with a small block I32 fast on the slide.

For purposes of this invention the machine is provided with a pair of arms I34 which are pivotally mounted on studs I35 extending rearwardly fromthe slide I08 and are connected togather by gear teeth I36 so that the arms will swing equal distances toward or from each other. A spring I40 connected to one of the arms and to a member I42 secured to one of the gibs I I2 tends to swing the arms inwardly toward each other, their swinging movements by the spring being adjustably limited by engagement of one I44 threaded in the block I32. Accordingly the arms are held initially .in the positions determined by the screw. Pivotally mounted on studs I46 on the lower ends of the arms are blocks I48, and connected to each block and to the corresponding arms is a spring I50 which tends to swing the block in one direction about the stud, the movement of the block under the influence of the spring being limited by engagement of a pin I52 on the block with the outer side of the arm. Secured to the blocks I48 are downwardly and inwardly inclined members I54 provided at their lower ends with studs I56 on which are mounted rolls I58 arranged to engage the sides of the shoe. The arms I34 are so positioned initially by the screw I44 that when a shoe is presented to the machine by moving it rearwardly under the shoe rest 22 the rolls I58 and the arms I34 are swung to some extent outwardly away from each other against the resistance of the spring I4il by wedging action of the forepart of the shoe on the rolls, the arms moving equal distances as above described and therefore properly centralizing the forepart of the shoe between the rolls. The operator thus moves the shoe rearwardly to the position determined by engagement of the lower jaw Ii of the end gripper 2 with the upper on the toe-end face of the last, as illustrated in Fig. 9, the end gripper being positioned low enough thus to serve as an end gage by suitable adjustment of the gripper support 5. The gripper support in the construction herein shown is thus adjusted by a small lever I59 (Fig. 1) pivotally mounted on the frame plate III] and extending rearwardly under the lower end of a member I50 corresponding to the member 98 shown in Letters Patent No. 2,324,509, the lever thus performing the function of the hand wheel I06 shown in said Letters Patent.

Mounted to turn in each of the blocks I42 is a pin ISI havingfast. onone end thereof a small 'blocl: I62='to which issecureda resiliently flexible serves toturn the pin WI and therebyto swing the finger i64 laterally with components of downward and outward movement with'respect'tothe edge of the insole, so that the finger by engagemen-t with the inner face o'fthe moreor less upstanding portion of the margin of the uppende- 'fiects it downwardly and -'outwardly to position the upper properly between the jaws of the side gripper, as illustrated in Fig.6. The lever lt'fi is moved by the piston against the resistance of a return spring I'M (Fig. 7) which is mounted in a bore H6 in the block I48 and presses at one end on a plunger I 18 in engagement with a downwardly extending arm of thelever. The spring 11-4 at its other end abuts against a cylindrical member I80 adjustable by means of 2. screw I82 threaded in the bore I16, and extending from the member IN! is a stem I8'4' 'arranged to engage the plunger I' -l8- to limit positively the movement of the lever I66 and the block 162.. Communicating --with the outer ends of the two cylinders 'ITZ are flexible tubes F86 leading from a pipe line I88 (Fig. 12) which :is tappedinto the pipe line 36 "leading from the pump '28 to the manifold 38.

Accordingly, when the operator first depresses the treadle to-move the valve 42 into position to close the outlet from the manifold and the valve '44 into position to admit operating fluid to the gripper-closing cylinders 46, the resulting pressure developed in the manifold and in the pipe line (it serves to operate the'pistons I10 and thus to cause the fingers I64 to position the margin of the upper as above described. To insure that the margin of the upper will thus be properly positioned before it is gripped by the side grippers, movement of the valve 44 (Fig. 11) to'admit fi'uid to the gripper-closing cylinders is so limited by adjustment of the rod 90 that the ports 64 are only partially opened by the valve, as shown in Fig. 11, the closing movements of the grippers being therefore suitably retarded.

To provide necessary clearance for the move.- ments of the upper-trimming means, the toe former I4 and the wipers "20, the arms I34 are swung outwardly about the studs I36 to withdraw the rolls I56 and the fingers I64 from the shoe near the beginning of the cycle of operations of the machine after the shoe has been clamped against the shoe rest 22 by'the toerest 24. For

-this purpose a vertical cylinder I90 is secured at the rear of the front frame plate I I'O, the cylinder being provided with a flange I 92 confined between the frame plate and one of the gibs II2.

Movable in the cylinder is a piston I94 connected by link I96 to a projection I98 on one of the arms I34. Accordingly, fluid admitted to the lower end of the cylinder "operates the piston to swing the arms I34 outwardly, the swinging movements of the arms being limited by engagement of one of them with a pin 200 on the slide I08. Extending from the lower end of the cylinder I90 to the'manifold 38 is a pipeline 2112v (Fig. 3

'8 12-) through which operating fluid is-a'dmi ttedto the-cylinder and is later released therefrom bya valve 2 lI4 controlledby means on the drum 54 similarly to other Valves 'withwhich the ma'chine is-provided. As the armsI-34 are'thus swung out- Wardlythe inclined roll-supporting members I 54 are engagedby the edges of plates 206 (Figs. 1 and 8) mounted on'the gripper supportfi and are deflected by these plates to positions where they rest on the tops of' the plates, as illustrated in 'Fig. 8', the blocks I48 being swung aboutthe-stud-s I46 against the resistance of'the springs I 50. In-

surance is thus further afforded against any in:-

terference with the lasting instrumentaliti'es.

In View of the foregoing description the manner of operation of the machine, in so far as it i's of interest with reference to the present inven: tion, need be onlybriefly summarized. Before presenting a shoe to the machine the operator turns the margin of the toe end of the upper-outwardly, especially about the endof the toewher'e this-maybe readily-done, the'toe end ofthe'upper having been softened in a toe steamer as usual :prior to lasting. In presenting the shoe the op erator positions the bottom of the toe end of the insole against the shoe rest 22 and moves the shoe lengthwise in a rearward direction between the rolls i58, the rolls and their supporting-arms I34 being forced apart equal distances by the wedging action of the shoe on the rolls. The rearward movement of the shoe is limited by on gagement of the upper on the toe-end face of the last with the lower jaw t of the end gripper :2, as illustrated in Fig. 9,. the rolls then engaging 'the shoe in locations beyond its toe portion. :By the. outward movements of the arms 134 the fingers I34 are properly positioned widthwise oi the shoe relatively 'to the portions of the margin of the upper located between the side grippers and the side pulling over tacks t, as illustrated in Fig. 5. After having thus presented theshoe, the operator, by depression of the previously *tioned itreadle, moves the valve 42 into position to close the outlet from the manifold 3t and thus to cause the development of fluid pressure in-th'e manifold and moves the valve "it into position to admit therfluid to the gripper-closing cylinders 46. In response to the development of such fluid pressure the pistons I'i-fl are immediately operated to impart downward and outward swinging movements to the fingers I64, causing the fingers the plunger-s I1 8 engaged by the lower ends of the lovers.

Simultaneously with the movements of the fingers the grippers begin to close onth'e upper, but in view of the manner in. which the valve 44 is controlled, as hereinbefore described, the closing of the .jawsis retarded to ii are that the margin of the upper will be properly positioned by the fingers before it is gripped. Thereafter, by another depression of the treadle, the operator moves the valve 59 to start thecycle of operations. Substantially at the beginning of the cycle the toerest 26 is moved upwardly to clamp the shoe against the shoe rest 22 and the heel rest. 26 is moved into operative position.

Near the beginning of the cycle also, after the clamping or the shoe fluid is. admitted by the valve'zfll'to the'cylinder I90 to cause the rolls I58 and the .fingers 64 to be withdrawn from the shoe by the arms 134, the roll-supporting members I54 being deflected upwardly by the plates 206 to positions on the tops of the plates, as illustrated in Fig. 8. Thereafter the machine corn tinues and completes its cycle, operating on the shoe in a manner which need not be further described in view of the disclosures in the previously mentioned Letters Patent. Substantially at the end of the cycle the valve 2% releases the :fluid from the cylinder I90 and the arms 134 are returned by the spring Hill to the positions determined by the screw I44, the members 154 being swung downwardly by the springs 55!]. When the pressure in the manifold is terminated by the valve 32 at the end of the cycle the springs I14 impart upward return movements to the fingers I64.

It is to be understood that with respect to the means for positioning the shoe the invention, in some aspects, is not limited to an organization including means for positioning the margin of the upper relatively to gripper jaws as shown and described, and that such upper-positioning means, moreover, may be useful in association with a gripper or grippers arranged to act on an upper elsewhere than at its toe-end portion.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and. for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole on the last at the sides of the forepart beyond the toe, said grippers each comprising a pair of uppergripping jaws relatively movable to grip the upper between them, and means for properly positioning the upper between the jaws of said grippers before it is thus gripped by engagement with portions of its margin located between said grippers and the portions of the upper extending inwardly over the insole.

2. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole on the last at the sides of the forepart beyond the too, said grippers each comprising a pair of upper- ,gripping jaws relatively movable to grip the upper between them, and members arranged to engage portions of the margin of the upper I jlocated between said grippers and the portions of the upper extending inwardly over the insole and :movable properly to position the upper between the jaws of said grippers before it is gripped.

3. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole on the last at the sides of the forepart beyond the toe, said grippers each comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable generally heightwise of the last to grip the margin of the upper between them in outspread relation to the edge of the last bottom, and means movable to spread the upper outwardly between the jaws of said grippers before it is thus gripped by engagement with portions of its margin located between said grippers and the portions of the upper extending inwardly over the insole.

4. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole on the last at the sides of the forepart beyond the toe, said grippers each comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable generally heightwise of the last to grip the margin of the upper between them in outspread relation to the edge of the last bottom, and members having components of movement height- Wise and widthwise of the last properly to position the upper between the jaws of said grippers before it is thus gripped by engagement with portions of its margin located between said grippers and the portions of the upper extending inwardly over the insole.

5. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole on the last at the sides of the forepart beyond the toe, said grippers each comprising a pair of uppergripping jaws relatively movable to grip the margin of the upper between them in outspread relation to the edge of the last bottom, and fingers inclined heightwise and widthwise of the last and movable laterally about axes extending lengthwise of the last to spread the upper outwardly between the jaws of said grippers before it is thus gripped by engagement with portions of its margin located between said grippers and the portions of the upper extending inwardly over-the insole;

6. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole on the last at the sides of the forepart beyond the toe, said grippers each comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable to grip the margin of the upper between them in outspread relation to the edge of the last bottom,'

fingers movable laterally to spread the upper outwardly between the jaws of said grippers before it is thus gripped by engagement with portions of its margin located between said grippers and the portions of the upper extending inwardly over the insole, and holders for said fingers movable about axes extending lengthwise of the last to operate them, the fingers being resiliently flexible to permit them to yield in response to resistance of the upper.

7. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole on the last at the sides of the forepart beyond the toe, said grippers each comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable to grip the margin of the upper between them in outspread relation to the edge of the last bottom, fingers movable laterally to spread the upper outwardly between the jaws of said grippers before it is thus gripped by engagement with portions of its margin located between said grippers and the portions of the upper extending inwardly over the insole, said fingers being resiliently flexible to permit them to yield in response to resistance of the upper, holders for said fingers .mov-

1 1 able te operate them, aha'm'eens for positively limiting the movements of "said holders.

8. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole on the last at the sides of the "forepar't beyond the toe, said grippers eacheomprising a pair of uppergripplhg jaws relativism 'ffiOVable to grip the upper between them, members movable properly to position the up er between the jaws of said grippers before it is thus gripped by engagement with portions of its 'marginlocated between said grippers ahd itheportions of the upper'extending inwardly over the insole, and fluid-pressure means for simultaneously operating said members and closing the aws of said grippers but Tfor retarding the closingofsaid jaws to permit "the upper to be properly positioned before it is 1 gripped.

'9. Ina lasting niachinefg'rippers for gripping the 'ihargin er anupp'erjmotintea on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively "in locations near portions of the u perextendinginwardi over "an insole on the last at thesi-de's of 'the forepart beyond the toe, saidg'ripprsf'each comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws "relatively movable to "grip'the upper betw'een'th'em,-'members movable piopjerly'topositioh'the ripper between the jaws Of Said grippers befoieit is "thus gripped. by engagement with portions of its "margin located between said "grippers and "the portions of the upper extending 'inwardIy over the insole,' and means for positioning said members relatively to the shoe WidthW-ise thereof as determined by engagement with' the'oppo'site'sidesof the shoe.

1'0.In "a 'lasting" rnachine, grippers for gripping the" margin of "an -upper mounted on alast and'for pulling the' upper a'tthe opposite sides of the toe respectivelydnlocations n'ear portions of the upper'extend'ing inwardly -overan insole .on thelast at'the' sides of the forepart beyond the toe, said grippers each comprising a pair of upper-gripping jawsqrelatiyely movableto grip :the upper between them; members movable proply t pos on t e u gnhe ivee th j ws a d ri per i re it isfihu isri sab engagement wi hr litia s .o its: mar in bq d, b s

: lastfatjthe:sitiesofthe fcfrepartbeyond the "toe,

,said: 'grippgers ffeach co risinga pair' of upperf gripping-jawsrelatively movable to grip the upper between them, members movableproperly'toposition the upperbetwe'en"the'jaws of said grippers *b'e'ioreit'is thus gripped by ngagem nt withp'or- "ti'0ns" '0: itsnia i'g inlocatedbetween said grippers ahdthe portions 'ertheup'p'e extending inwardly over the"insole:-and"'arrns"supporting said mem- I-b'e'rs' and relatively te which they are thus mov- 'able', said armsbeing mouh ted'for swinging move- 1e relatively to' each I 12 ingly movable by wedging action of the shoe thereon to position said members relatively to the shoe widthwise thereof.

12. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole 0n the last at the sides of the iorepart beyond the toe, said grippers each comprising a pair of uppergripping jaws relatively movable to grip the upper between them, members movable properly to position the upper between the jaws of saidgrippersbefore it is thus gripped by engagement with portions of its margin located between-said grippers and the portions'ofthe upper extending "in- Wardly over'the insole,'supports'for saidmembers relatively to which they are thus movable, said supports being movable relatively toeach other widthw-ise of theshoe and .havingmeans thereon for engaging the sides of the .shoe to position said memberswidthwise of the-:shoe'as determined by such engagement, and cylinder-.and-piston'devices on said supports for operating said members 13. In a lasting machine,grippers'for gripping 'the margin of an upper mounted ona l'ast'and for pulling the upper'at the opposite sides of the toe respectivelyin locations near :portions' of the upperextendinginwardly over aninsole' on the last at the sides of the forepartnbeyond thetoe, s'aid grippers each comprising :a pair ol? uppergrip'ping 'jaws relatively movable i130 grip the upper between them, members movable properly to position the upper between thejawsof :said grippers-before itis thus gripped: by engagement with portions -o'f'its margin locatedbetween said grippers and'the portionsof the upper extending inwardly o'ver the insole, supports'for said mem- 'bers relatively to which they are thus movable, and means for moving said supports to withdraw said members from the shoe after the upper has been grippedby the grippers.

'14.In a' lasting'machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted "on a last and for pulling 'the upper-at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upperextendinginwardly over arr-insole "on the last at'the sides of'theforepart beyond the toe,*sa"id=' grippers each comprising a pair' of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable to-gr ip the upper between them; membersanovable properlyto position the upper -between the jaws 30f said' gr'ippers before; it-is thus-gripped by engagem'ent w'ith p'orti'ons' o'f its margin locatedbetween said grippers and "the portions or the upper extending inwardly over *thevin'sole, and" supports for said :members mounted' for movements in 'direetions"widthwise'of theis'hoe and having thereonin'eans for po'sitioriing the shoeilaterally by engagement with tits-ioppositea'sides.

15; in a i'lasting amach'ine; grippers iforigripping themargin of' an' iupperrmountedon a last and for pulling the upper;attheiopposite sides ofthe "toe respe'ctively in locations nearrportions iof' the "upper extending :inwardlya over". an insole on the last atnthe'sidesr ofthe forep'artbeyond the toe,

said grippers' each rcomp'rising a pair-30f "upperhgripping jaws relatively movable to.:grip':t'he 1.11p-

:" per' between them; :members :movable properly toxpositi'onathe'1upper=betweenwthe jaws 1 of said grippers bef'ore vitiis v thus gripped: by engagement with portionslof its marginzlo'cated between said grippers: and the :portions ;of :the upper: extending inwardly bver the insole, and supports iomsaid members having means thereon for positioning the shoe laterally by engagement with its opposite sides, said supports being connected together for equal movements toward and from each other and being yieldingly movable away from each other by wedging the action of the shot thereon when the shoe is presented to the machine.

16. In a lasting machine, grippers for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper at the opposite sides of the toe respectively in locations near portions of the upper extending inwardly over an insole on the last at the sides of the forepart beyond the toe, said grippers each comprising a pair of uppergripping jaws relatively movable to grip the upper between them, members movable properly to position the upper between the jaws of said grippers before it is thus gripped by engagement with portions of its margin located between said grippers and the portions of the upper extending inwardly over the insole, supports for said members having means thereon for positioning the shoe laterally by engagement with its opposite sides, means for clamping the shoe to hold it in the position thus determined, and means for moving said supports to withdraw said members and shoe-positioning means from the shoe after the shoe has thus been clamped.

17. In a lasting machine, a gripper for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper in a location near a portion thereof previously secured to the bottom face of an insole on the last, said gripper comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable to grip the upper between them, and a device arranged to engage the margin of the upper in a location between said gripper and the portion of the upper secured to the insole and movable to position the upper properly .be-

tween the jaws of the gripper :before it is thus gripped.

18. In a lasting machine, a gripper for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper in a location near a portion thereof previously secured to the bottom face of an insole on the last, said gripper comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable to grip the upper between them in outspread relation to the edge of the last bottom, and a device arranged to engage the margin of the upper in a location between said gripper and the portion of the upper secured to the insole and movable to spread the margin of the upper outwardly between the jaws of the gripper before it is thus gripped.

19. In a lasting machine, a gripper for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper in a location near a portion thereof previously secured to the bottom face of an insole on the last, said gripper comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable to grip the upper between them, and a member arranged to press on the inner face of the margin of the upper in a location between said gripper and the portion of the upper secured to the insole and movable in the direction of the pressure thus applied to said face to position the upper properly between the jaws of the gripper before it is thus gripped.

20. In a lasting machine, a gripper for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper in a location near a portion thereof previously secured to the bottom face of an insole on the last, said gripper comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable to grip the upper between them in out spread relation to the edge of the last bottom, and a member arranged to press on the inner face of the margin of the upper in a location between said gripper and the portion of the upper secured to the insole and having compo nents of movement heightwise of the last and outwardly with respect to the edge of the last bottom in the direction of the pressure thus applied to said face to deflect the margin of the upper into proper position between the jaws of said gripper before it is thus gripped.

21. In a lasting machine, a gripper for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper in a location near a portion thereof previously secured to the bottom face of an insole on the last, said gripper comprising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable to grip the upper between them, a finger arranged to extend lengthwise in oblique angular relation to the bottom of the shoe and to engage the inner face of the margin of the upper in a location between said gripper and the portion of the upper secured to the insole, and means for swinging said finger laterally in a direction transversely of the edge of the shoe bottom to deflect the margin of the upper into proper position between the jaws of said gripper before it is thus gripped.

22. In a lasting machine, a gripper for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last and for pulling the upper, said gripper com-prising a pair of upper-gripping jaws relatively movable to grip the margin of the upper between them in outspread relation to the edge of the last bottom, and a member arranged to press on the inner face of the margin of the upper and movable in the direction of the pressure thus applied to said face to spread the margin of the upper outwardly between the jaws of said gripper before it is thus gripped.

23. In a lasting machine, a gripper for gripping the margin of an upper mounted on a last. and for pulling the upper, said gripper compris-- ing a pair of upper-gripping jaws relativelymovable to grip the margin of the upper between: them in outspread relation to the edge of the; shoe bottom, a finger arranged to extend lengthwise in oblique angular relation to the bottom of the shoe and to press on the inner face of the margin of the upper, and means for swinging said finger laterally with components of movement heightwise of the shoe and outwardly with respect to the edge of the shoe bottom to deflect the margin of the upper into proper position between the jaws of said gripper before it is thus gripped.

24. In a lasting machine, a gripper for gripping the marginal portion of an upper on a last at the end of the toe and for pulling the upper, said gripper being arranged to position the shoe lengthwise by engagement with the upper on the toe-end face of the last when the shoe is presented to the machine, and means for further positioning the shoe laterally by engagement with the upper on the opposite side faces of the forepart of the last.

25. In a lasting machine, a gripper for gripping the marginal portion of an upper on a last at the end of the toe and for pulling the upper, said gripper comprising a pair of jaws relatively movable generally heightwise of the last to grip the upper and being arranged to position the shoe lengthwise by engagement of one of said jaws with the upper on the toe-end face of the last when the shoe is presented to the machina-and: means for furthenpositioning the shoe: laterally: by engagement with the-upper-onthe-opposite side faces of the forepart ofthe last;

toe-endiace o f, the last when th'ewshoe; isxpre-v sentedto the machine; and members for 1-further' positioning the shoelaterally-byengagement with;

the-upper on the :oppositeside facesof the 'forepart of the last; saidqmembers being connected together for equal movements toward -and-iromm each other and being so'position'edinitiallyas to: be forced apart by wedgingyaction oft-he shoethereon when the shoe ispresented:

27 In a lastingmachine, a'gripper torgrippi-ng the marginal portion of anuppBron-a la-st -at'- the end'of the toe and for pull-ing the upper, said gripper being arranged to position the shoelengthwise by engagement with the upper on-t'he toe-end face of the'lastwhen the-..'shoefiis' 'presented, to the machine, members for, further positioning the shoe laterally by engagement with the upperon the opposite side faces of the fore,-

part of; the-last, means: for; clamping thei shoel to hold it in the position determined by said-grip per 1 and members, and means for moving, said members away from thejshoe after it has thus been clamped.

28. In a lasting -machine a gripper foragripe ping the marginal portion of-"an @upperon a last at the end 0f the toe andtor pullingvithe upper;

said gripperbeing arrangedrto. position the "shoe; lengthwise by engagement with-the upper on the toe-end face of "the last: when the shoe is .1318? sented tothe machine, members for further pol sitioning th shoe laterally by =engagement cwisthi a the upper on the oppositeiside:faceseof thefionepart of the last,v said -members being. connected together for equal movements?toward-and from; eachother and being so positioned initially "as to be :forced apart by wedging action of the.,-shoe thereon when the shoe is presented;;i means-.ior: clamping the shoe to hold it in-the position; ale-i termined by saidgripper and membersand means for movingsaid members farther apart ztO witha-H engage the opposite sides of: theforepart OffiL-l shoe to position the shoe laterally andtorbe' forced? apart bywvedginggaction oftthe shoerthereonwh'en.

itzisrpresented to, the machine, means for clamp 1 ingz the shoe to: holditafter it has thus been positioned, and means for moving :said members:

farther apartjto withdraw them from, thewshoe after it, has thus been clamped.

30. In a lasting machine, membersarranged to-engage the opposite sides, of the. forepart or a shoe :to position the shoe laterally; supports .for.=

said members mounted for swinging movements.

away from each other laterally of the shoeineach about an axis;extendingclengthwise of the shoeby. wedging action of the shoe-on; the members when itgis presented to the machine mea'nsjor clampv ingthe shoe to hold, it ,aiterith'as :thus been positioned; and means; for swinging said. supports farther apartfto withdraw the members :from the shoe-afiter it has thus-been clamped.

31; In :alasting machine, members arranged to engage the opposite sides of 'the forepart of a shoe to: position the shoe laterally, means for clamp-ingathe shoe torhold. it' afterit. has thus: 1 been positioned, and means for moving'said members 'widthwise of the shoe to withdraw them: from the shoe after it has thusbeen clamped and; for also moving themrheightwiise of the shoe in the-course of their movements widthwise'of the shoe;

'32. In alasting machi-namemberssarrangedtoh engagev the opposite sides of the aforepart aof 'aii shoe to positionthe shoelaterall-y; means for clamping the shoe to :hold it'after has-thus been positioned, means for moving saidmembers widthwise, of 'thezxshoe V to. "withdraw them from the shoecafter it has thus been-clamped, and adJ-I ditional means for moving-,saidmembers height wise of the shoe in response *tovtheir :movements 1 widthwise j of "the ;shoe.

33. In a lasting machine, members arranged-to,

engage the-opposite sides OffthEiOIiGDhft of a shoe to, position: the shoe @latera'l'ly;v means :for-

clamping the: shoe to hold. itnafter it haszthusbeen ,positionedyzarms vsupporting said-"members and movable widthwise of the shoe :to withdraw them from theshoe-i'aft'er it has thus been clamped," and means for also .moving .saidmembers heightwise wof 'theshoe relatiuely'to :the arms in re draw them fromtheshoeg'after it -:has;,:thus been; 50; sponse to the movements ofthezarmsu clamped.

29. In a lasting machinamembers; arranged to" B-ERNHLARDT lJ ORGENSEN.

No references'jcited. 

